NICE, a fest was heaven for any Boston DIY music scene lover, located in Somerville, Massachusetts. It was four days filled with music by local artists— from those you may see at a house show, to those doing international tours. With 72 artists and bands of all genres performing at The Rockwell and The Crystal Ballroom, it was the perfect experience to appreciate the local music you love as well as discover something new. There were so many impressive acts, fans were running back and forth between the two venues all weekend.
Put together by the local independent booking company Get To The Gig Boston, the lineup showcased artists of a variety of genres, including folk, pop, rock, and punk. It kicked off on Thursday July 20th, with performances by The Furniture, Jesus the Dinosaur, Horse Jumper of Love and Karate. Friday had sets by Paper Lady, Main Era, Going222Jail, Dino Gala, Swirlies, and more. Saturday had Brennan Wedl, Grace Givertz, Halle Mone, Senseless Optimism, Winkler, Frances Forever, and more. Finally, Sunday closed out the weekend with Trophy Wife, Rusty Mullet, Bent Knee, Guerilla Toss, and more.
Despite the obvious differences between the dark Rockwell and the shiny Crystal Ballroom, both venues were filled with amazing energy all weekend. Boston music appreciators could be seen singing, dancing and moshing during every set, whether it was at 3:00 pm, or 12:00 am.
Between the venues in Davis Square was an extensive collection of vendors. There were local artists selling vintage clothes, jewelry, art, candles, records, and so much more. Each of the artists got a chance to sell their own merchandise as well.
The music, along with local vendors, made for an unforgettable weekend for the third year in a row. It is incredibly important to support local music, and NICE a fest does an unbeatable job of bringing people together for just that.
